Weinstein is very optimistic about "Tai Chi".
Kung fu movies may not be mainstream in American theaters, but he knows that there are some groups among the people who like Chinese kung fu movies, such as the black people in Los Angeles who regard Bruce Lee as their idol.
If it was before, he wouldn't be able to do it, but it's different now.
Because there is one more thing: videotape!
As the most developed country in the United States today, the video tape industry is also the fastest growing. Weinstein's goal is to obtain all the copyrights of "Tai Chi" in North America. Even if the theater performance is not good, he can also distribute the video copyrights.
So he still held on to a glimmer of hope and asked: "Chen, can you tell me who your transaction partner is?"
"20th Century Fox! It's not convenient to disclose the specific amount."
"Of course, I understand. I would like to ask about the copyright of "Tai Chi" in Western Europe..."
"Sold!"
"What about Australia?"
"Sold too!"
"Where's the videotape?"
"All sold!"
Chen Qi laughed and said sincerely: "Mr. Weinstein, this is all thanks to your emphasis on the film. You offered "Tai Chi" US$2 million, which helped me gain the attention of major Hollywood companies. Otherwise, I would not have had the chance.
Talk to them.
As expected, the big Hollywood company was so bold that they bought all the copyrights of "Tai Chi" during the meeting. Alas..."
"..."
Weinstein wanted to slap him, but the other person's expression was sincere and sincere, like a lamb who had just entered society and met the destined one. He could only smile and said: "You are really lucky. I hope you always have this kind of thing."
luck!"
"That depends on your help. I'm really sorry this time. I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."
snort!
Weinstein responded with a few words, was not in the mood to stay any longer, and stomped downstairs.
After walking a few steps on the street, the cold wind blew and his mind cleared. The more he thought about it, the more something was wrong. Suddenly, his steps stopped, and then the fat all over his body trembled.
He took off his hat, threw it to the ground, kicked the lamppost hard, and cursed: "FUCK! I may have been deceived, that yellow-skinned boy is teasing me!"
"Boss?" the assistant didn't understand.
"He had no intention of selling it to me, not in the first place!"
When Weinstein came back to his senses, he looked as ferocious as a melting wax figure. He grabbed his assistant by the collar and shouted: "Go and find out! Use everyone you know to find out what happened at 20th Century Fox."
How much?!!"
…………
Turn back the time.
Hollywood experienced McCarthyism and the impact of television in the 1950s and 1960s, and fell into a long trough until it recovered in the 1970s. New directors represented by Coppola, Spielberg, George Lucas, etc. emerged and officially entered the market.
Post-Hollywood era.
During this period, Hollywood commercial films became more and more mature, and the film industry system developed rapidly, gradually reaching a state where "men, women, old and young can watch movies". However, due to the opposition between the two camps, it did not spread its tentacles all over the world.
When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s and the socialist camp collapsed, the last obstacle disappeared, and Hollywood naturally began to capture the global market - this was also one of the reasons for the decline of Hong Kong films.
Speaking of 20th Century Fox alone, its business was miserable a few years ago. However, it turned around with the groundbreaking "Star Wars" and regained its status as a major studio.
Steven Roberts is in his 30s and is responsible for Fox's overseas operations. He is young and promising and has a unique vision.
He looked around in Berlin and found that "Tai Chi" was the only one he could buy, so he came to discuss it in person. When he saw Chen Qi, he was stunned. He was younger and more promising than him. He knew that Warner had already talked about it but had not reached an agreement. It seemed that he was a
A tough opponent.
Just a few polite words and get to the point.
Roberts made his own offer: "North American rights, $200,000!"
"You're kidding, it can't be this price. Yesterday, an American company called Miramax came to negotiate and offered a high price of 2 million US dollars. You are not sincere, and we don't need to continue."
"Two million?"
Roberts was surprised, thought carefully, and said with a smile: "Chen, I have never heard of this company. It must be a new born little guy. It is impossible for a company of this size to pay 2 million US dollars. He must be lying to you!"
"
"I don't understand those things. I only know that you are 10 times different. If it were you, who would you want to talk to?"
"We are also very sincere, you can make an offer."
"3 million!"
??????????.??????
"..."
Roberts stared at him incomprehensibly for a while, packed his bag and was about to leave, saying: "Chen, you have time to see a doctor. You really don't understand the international film market. The price of North American copyrights has never been so high."
"No, no, I'm talking about global copyright!"
Roberts made a move.
"Except for the regions I have sold, the rest of North America, Western Europe, Australia, etc. can be given to you."
"That's too high."
Roberts sat down again and shook his head slowly.
"It's not high at all. Bruce Lee's kung fu movies are so popular, you can easily make money back."
"Movies are not a lip service. We have to actually develop them. No one can estimate the consequences. There is a risk of 200,000 yuan for 200,000 yuan, and a risk of 3 million yuan for 3 million yuan. On behalf of Fox, when buying movies overseas, the first factor is to reduce the risk.
Minimize it."
"But you don't just go to theaters, you can also go to TV stations and videos!" Chen Qi said suddenly.
Roberts' eyes widened suddenly, but what was even more horrifying to him was yet to come.
Just listen to Chen Qi say: "Nowadays, major Hollywood studios have established home video departments, specializing in video tapes, which shows that you understand how vast this new market is.
Video tape dealers in the United States have begun to take shape. A tape sells for $80, but rentals only cost $2-3. It won't be long before video rental stores will pop up everywhere.
If you want to do it, you can produce the tape yourself. If you want to be lazy, just sell the copyright directly, and you don't have to bear the risk.
This is called lying down and making money.
Times have changed, and new things have been added to the film distribution network..."
Chen Qi played with the cups and coasters on the table and said with a smile: "In the past, there were only two channels for movies, one was theaters and the other was peripherals, such as your "Star Wars" and Disney.
In the past few years, video tape technology has matured, which can completely open up a new channel.
Watching movies in theaters is a passive choice, and what is shown depends on the movie company. Those who like unpopular genres, art films, and kung fu movies may not necessarily like them, but videotapes are an active choice and are very suitable for this group of people.
Americans are definitely willing to pay $2-3 to watch a movie that costs $10-20 million, or in other words, movie fans all over the world are willing.
Secondly, there is a new channel, which is television.
In the past, the technology of converting film to television tape was immature, but now it is possible. You can sell your movies to American public television networks, pay channels, hotels, and airport closed-circuit televisions, which is another considerable income.
So now there are four distribution networks for movies: theaters, video tapes, TV, and offline!"
Chen Qi looked at Roberts and said: "I don't have any offline. I'll give you all the copyrights for those three channels. Chinese Kung Fu movies have a group of die-hard fans, which is enough to support your profit pool. And video tapes are not time-sensitive.
You can release it next year or the year after that, there will always be fans to watch it.
Even ten years later, you can still make a "Tai Chi" tenth anniversary edition...
So, how much is 3 million worth?"
"..."
God testifies!
Roberts was never so panicked when his wife discovered that he was sleeping with her lover.
His first reaction was: How do you know these things? Our country, America, has been infiltrated into a sieve by socialism!
The second reaction is: Tai Te Niang has a point!
Chen Qi pretends to be a little lamb at home, and he pretends to be a little kid when he goes abroad. Of course he has to show himself as a saint in front of others!
What he said will be taken for granted in later generations. It has just begun. Hollywood may be aware of the scalability of this distribution network, but after all, it has not yet accumulated experience and formed a complete system.
Chen Qi analyzed it and split it from one copyright to three copyrights in order to raise the price of "Tai Chi" - including the talks with the Japanese yesterday, they also mentioned this theory.
Anyway, he can't do it himself, so if he gives it away as a favor, he can build a relationship.
This is what Roberts thinks. He no longer cares about "Tai Chi". He just thinks that if he takes this theory back to the president of Fox and talks about it, he will have a promising future!
"Chen, your eloquence is simply unparalleled, alas..."
Roberts sighed pretentiously.
Chen Qi was relieved when he saw this. Time was tight and he didn't have time to negotiate country by country. It was best to find a big businessman to wrap up the deal.
Damn, we finally talked about it!
Chapter completed!